Rainbow of Hope, an NPO based in Goodwood in Cape Town, is once again able to host its annual ‘Knight for a Princess’ event thanks to a donation from Engen.

Engen employee, Pranisha Mehilal utilised Engen's Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP) to raise essential funds for Rainbow of Hope for the fifth consecutive year.

Rainbow of Hope operates as a place of safety for vulnerable children in Cape Town and hosts the ‘Knight for a Princess’ event annually to teach boys and girls in their care about respectful behaviour, especially in the context of dating.

“The children, who come from backgrounds of severe abuse, often view violence as normal, and this event aims to instil in them the understanding that they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect,” says Pranisha, who has been a volunteer at the NPO for the past 10 years.

In response to Rainbow of Hope’s call for funding to ensure this year's event could take place, Pranisha stepped up to secure the necessary funds, with her efforts resulting in a R5,000 grant from Engen’s ECPP to be used to cover essential costs for the special evening.

Engen’s ECPP is designed to encourage employees to engage in community service by providing financial support for their initiatives, with Pranisha’s dedication exemplifying the spirit of giving back and making a positive impact on society.

Rainbow of Hope ex-officio board member and project manager, Alison Alexander says the event is usually partially self-sufficient through their partnership with Northlink College.

“We typically sell tickets to fully sustain this project, but this year we were unsuccessful due to the short notice given to our supporters,” explains Alison. “Consequently, we moved the event to the end of September.

“This is the first time we have approached a company for funding for this project, and we are very grateful that Engen has stepped up to offer support.”

Engen’s grant will cover the cost of dinner for the children and their partners, as well as other expenses like travel, smart clothing, and shoes.

Adds Alexander: “While it may seem like a luxury, it’s amazing to see the impact this programme has on the children at Rainbow of Hope, helping them make more informed decisions about who to befriend and date, and teaching them that they never need to settle for less.”

Alison extended her gratitude to Engen for their continued support over the past five years.

“We are grateful to Pranisha and Engen for their continued support. This is a very special evening where they dress up, show up, and are treated like the princes and princesses that they are. Engen, together with our partners at Northlink College's Hospitality Faculty, have helped to ensure that we can pull out all the stops to make this evening memorable.”

Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager, comments: “As a company that cares deeply about the communities in which it operates, it is important for Engen to actively back NPOs that do so much to support and uplift those in need.

“Engen remains steadfast in its support of initiatives like Rainbow of Hope, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to help create meaningful change and improve lives across South Africa.”

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